Chaeles gates



(No Model.) v G. GATES.

COMBINED PLUME, LEVEL, AND SQUARE.

No. 339,287. Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

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llllll MJM f UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE. f

CHARLES GATES, OF LEBANON, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINED PLUMB, LEVEL, AND SQUARE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 339,287, dated April 6.1985- Application filed January 18, 1886. Serial No, 188,921. (No model.)

To aZ whom t may concern Be. it known that I, CHARLES GATEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lebanon, in the county of Lebanon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in OoinbinedPlnmb, Level, and Square; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appeijtains to make and use the same. v

This invention relates to a combined tool or implement designed specially for the use of masons, bricklayers, and carpenters, but is not limited thereto, as it -is of general application; and it consists in the constructions hereinafter' described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specication, Figure l represents a plan showing the upper end in position to form a square in dotted lines; Fig. 2, a perspective detail of sliding block and dovetail seat; Fig. 3, a detail perspective of hingejoint; Fig. 4, a section on linear x, Fig. 3; Fig.

5, a sectional detail of spring-catch; and Fig. 6, a detail perspective, showing spirit-level.

Reference being had to the. drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, A represents a graduated plumb-level made in two sections, and provided with a hinge, B, for the purpose of converting it into a square. The hinge is of ordinary construction common to carpenters7 rules. Between the two sections of the hinge is interposed a sectorplate, a, of metal, provided with ilanges b c, projecting from opposite sides of the plate, as shown in Fig. 4. The adjacent ends of the instrument are provided with slots d e, into which the plate a projects, and upon both sides of said ends are secured metal plates f, having iiange g, which extends down to form a bearing against the lianges b c of the plate a, as shown in Fig. 4, and support the upper end of the instrument when it is turned at a right angle to its companion piece to form a square, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l and in full linesin Fig. 3.

Vhen the two parts of the instrument are 5o inline to forni a plumb or level, they are securely locked by means of a projection, h, on the upper section and a corresponding .projection, z', on a leaf-spring, j, provided with a push-button, 7.", secured to thc lower section, as shown in Fig. 5.

Upon the upper end of the instrument is secured a plate, Z, havinga dovetail groove formed in it to receive acorrespcnding block, m, which is provided with a stud or post, n, having a slot in it to receive a plumb-line. The block m is adjustable in the slot for the purpose of setting the plumb-line at any angle of inclination4 desired in building inclined walls, and enables the user to set the plumb to a scale giving any desired angle or inclination to the running foot, as indicated by the dotted lines o p. The block is secured in any desired position by a screw, q.

C represents a tube containing mercury or spirit, and D D are hand-holes.

Plumb-levels as ordinarily constructed are very apt to fall when set upon end, which frequently results in breaking the glass containing the spirit. To provide against thisevil I insert a pin, r, in the lowerend of the instrument, which when the instrument is set upon that endelnbeds itself in the ground, the scaffolding, or a floor, and prevents its slipping.

E is a plumb-bob attached to aline, s,which is held in the slotted stud or post n. Y

I am aware that a surveyors instrument mounted upon a tripod has been provided with an adjustable plate, to which the line ol' a plumb-bob has been attached, and do not therefore claim such matter as my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim isl. A rectangular plumb level having a groove or seat in one end thereof, in combination with a head or block provided with aline-support and adapted to slide vin saidr groove, substantially as described.

2. A rectangular plumb -level having a groove or seat in one end thereof, in combination with a head or block provided with a line-support and a locking device, substantially as described. v

3. A plumb-level formed in two sections, arranged in the same plane, and provided with a hinge on ene side, in combination with IOO In testimony whereof I affix my signature in Io presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES GATES.

Vitnesses:

- LEWIS REER,

C. XV. FERRY. 

